Since the launch of ridesharing and delivery apps, on-demand mobility has exploded into one of the fastest-growing sectors of our modern economy. 

What started as a simple way for drivers to earn supplemental income has become a lifeline for millions during these uncertain times. However, as the industry matures, challenges have emerged that impact all participants, from individuals pursuing flexible work to investors, financial services, gig platforms, and even autonomous vehicle companies. 

Fortunately, companies like Gridwise are dedicated to supporting the entire on-demand ecosystem through transparency and data-driven insights through Gridwise Analytics.

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The origins of Gridwise

Founded in 2017 by veteran drivers Ryan Green and Brian Finamore, Gridwise has had a mission to empower gig workers with the knowledge to boost earnings and quality of life. 

The founders grew their mobility alert service from humble beginnings. In the early days, they manually created text alerts that consolidated information from over ten apps, notifying drivers about airport traffic, weather, major events, and other factors impacting their work. 

They also researched multiple online sources to produce a weekly email curating events, weather, and traffic - valuable intelligence that helped drivers optimize their schedules.

Gridwise’s first offering to drivers was SMS alerts and a weekly email.

Gridwise then scaled from providing text messages and emails to a nationwide platform. Today, the platform helps gig drivers know when and where to drive based on rideshare and delivery demand hot spots. Gridwise also shows drivers how to maximize tax deductions via mileage and earnings tracking. The app also provides insights into when, where, and when to drive.

Over time, Gridwise grew exponentially, with 205K+ active drivers each quarter and 400 million rideshare and delivery trips tracked. 

Gridwise is now a powerful and reliable platform that helps drivers optimize their schedules, finances, and earnings potential through a comprehensive app designed specifically for drivers and their unique needs. 

From the beginning, the founders’ core focus has been to improve the lives of gig drivers by offering solutions the founders wish they had access to while gig-driving themselves. 

Screenshots from the Gridwise App 2023

Gridwise Analytics: The logical next step

As the company grew, the founders recognized the challenges facing the larger gig mobility industry. The decisions made by major gig platforms affect the companies, drivers, and customers they serve. 

However, industry stakeholders often face challenges – a lack of ground truth data that would enable them to make decisions that could further positively impact the gig mobility industry. 

To fill this data gap, Gridwise launched Gridwise Analytics - providing anonymized, first-party insights gleaned directly from their nationwide driver network. Their solution aims to benefit both gig workers and the wider industry.

With access to Gridwise Analytics, companies gain a comprehensive view of mobility patterns across their competitive landscape. Regulators and researchers can explore pressing issues with robust, unbiased information. Municipal planners obtain insights guiding policies that support thriving gig economies and transportation systems optimized for the future.

By aggregating data to protect individual privacy, Gridwise Analytics enables previously impossible studies valuable to stakeholders of all kinds. Its many use cases have the potential to impact the industry positively.

Gig mobility: A rapidly growing industry 

Service companies such as Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, and Instacart have transformed the ways people and goods move within and around our cities, all while providing gig workers a profitable and flexible way to earn a living in a tough economy.

Ride-hail and demand-responsive transit systems have been adopted by the masses worldwide and depend on these systems as a primary mode of transportation. The long-term future of the ride-hail industry is looking bright, with the ride-hail market projected to reach $85.48 billion by 2023, representing a CAGR of 17.97%. 

But this soaring growth isn’t limited to transporting people. App-based delivery has become a primary means for receiving groceries, food from restaurants, and every conceivable kind of household goods. The food delivery industry is included in these projections. This industry segment is also projected to grow, with the food delivery market alone expected to reach $154.34 billion in 2023 at a CAGR of 11.51%.

Gig workers continue to flock to rideshare and delivery. The number of US transportation-based gig workers is expected to top 9 million by 2023, up from 5 million in 2018, according to a joint report by Mastercard and Kaiser Associates.

Gig mobility’s growth challenges

Inevitably, however, rapid growth often brings challenges. 

Challenges stem from the current mobility transformation, which affects business across many verticals. Companies must understand trends and patterns across gig mobility to make key operational, investment, and strategic decisions. For many organizations, making the wrong operational decisions could result in multi-billion-dollar mistakes, affecting drivers and the public.

What can Gridwise Analytics do for the industry? 

When companies use Gridwise Analytics, key industry stakeholders and their data teams can access anonymized, first-party insights into how people and goods move in and around urban areas. This enables decisions based on ground truth data. When decisions are based on ground truth data, real needs can be met and actual problems solved for. 

Aside from Gridwise, no other database-organized entities have access to aggregated insights into multi-provider mobility patterns. By working with us, companies can leverage mobility data intelligence to gain a competitive edge.

Data provided by Gridwise Analytics serves as a critical tool for numerous industries and entities, including: 

• Gig platforms can leverage gig mobility data intelligence to optimize and expand their business in a highly competitive market. By understanding the market and not relying on biased data, teams within these companies can make decisions based on industry-gleaned data.
• Mobility Service Firms: Gridwise Analytics helps mobility service firms understand current supply and demand within the gig-driving economy so they can inform their go-to-market strategy, optimize pricing, and maximize utilization.  
• Investors and Hedge Funds: Gridwise Analytics can help investment firms make smarter decisions. Using our data, stakeholders can better estimate or predict performance and stock prices for companies in ride-hailing, food delivery, retail, real estate, and other industries.
• Regulators and Researchers: Access to Gridwise Analytics data will help to inform policy decisions and research related to workers’ rights, the impact on congestion, multi-modal patterns, and how to create more equitable transportation. 
• Developers and Retailers: Access to Gridwise Analytics data will enable retail restaurants and stores to better select their next location based on understanding the origin and destination trends of people and food, grocery, or parcel deliveries.
• Municipalities: Access to first-party Gridwise Analytics data helps cities and states better understand factors such as gig driver earnings, curb utilization, and the impact gig mobility has on traffic congestion, among others. This can be invaluable for policy, regulation, and infrastructure decisions.  

Work with Gridwise Analytics

Access to accurate, ground truth data paves the way for smarter, more equitable decisions by all stakeholders. Most important, Gridwise Analytics fulfills the original mission of the company’s founders: to empower drivers and the companies they work for with knowledge that can boost earnings and advocate for needed changes. We further believe that access to ground truth data encourages industry growth.

As on-demand mobility continues transforming transportation, Gridwise will remain dedicated to empowering that transition through insights supplied through Gridwise Analytics that benefit all industry stakeholders. 

Are you interested in working with Gridwise Analytics? Do you have questions about how we can help and support your business? You can get in contact with our team by filling out the form below.

Looking to be a GoPuff driver? If you are tired of waiting in restaurants, or constantly going from one place to another for delivery pickups and drop-offs this might be for you! When you sign up with the app, you “go” to a single location to pick up orders, and then… “puff!”…you deliver the customers’ items to their doors.

Does that sound appealing? We think it is. Once you read this post, you’ll have everything you need to know to become a Gopuff delivery driver. Here’s what we’ll include:

• What is Gopuff delivery?
• Why drivers like to work for Gopuff
• Gopuff delivery driver requirements
• How to apply and onboard as a Gopuff driver
• Is Gopuff right for you?

Let’s get started.

What is Gopuff delivery?

When people want items such as snacks, ice cream, alcohol, tobacco and vape products, hydration drinks, and sweets, they go to their Gopuff app to order them. Health items, such as over-the-counter medications and assorted things that make bodies feel better, are also available, and there’s even a selection of healthier snacks and ice cream products.

With Gopuff delivery, customers know they’re going to get the brands they want and that the goodies will be delivered fast. Delivery fees for customers start at $3.95, and an additional $3.95 is added for regulated products such as alcohol, tobacco, and vape items. That’s really not bad, especially when customers are tired and/or reluctant to go outside due to bad weather, or just because they’re binging on a series or watching a game they don’t want to be torn away from.

Customers love Gopuff because of the convenience and the reasonable delivery fees. That’s evident from the fact that there were approximately 2.1 million Gopuff customers by the end of 2021, according to Business of Apps. The company has grown astronomically from its humble beginnings in 2013, when it mainly delivered hookah products to college students (now you know how they got that name!). 

They have since dropped the hookah deliveries but have doubled down by expanding their product lines. A capital infusion of more than $1 billion, according to Techcrunch, has allowed Gopuff to expand in the last year or so. In addition to their “dark stores,” which are localized distribution centers, they have recently added Gopuff kitchens, which allow customers to have prepared food delivered by Gopuff drivers.

Why drivers like to work for Gopuff

In addition to eliminating the wait at a different restaurant or store, Gopuff gives drivers a lot of reasons to love driving for the company. Here are a few”

• Guaranteed minimum income. Gopuff drivers get a commission on every order they deliver. If the total doesn’t add up to the minimum set by Gopuff, the company adds to the Gopuff driver pay to make up the difference. 
• No tip sharing. Drivers get to keep 100% of their tips, which can be an essential part of Gopuff driver pay.
• No unruly passengers. As with all delivery apps, you don’t have to let anyone else into your vehicle.
• Orders are easy to pick up. Unless you really like to run up and down the aisles of an unfamiliar grocery or convenience store, you’ll love the way Gopuff has things arranged so that you can pick up deliveries at your local distribution center. Warehouse employees select and bag the items for drivers in most cases.
• Drive on your own time. You choose your own schedule and don’t have to edge out other drivers to compete for prime delivery blocks. You can choose to work hourly shifts, or work on demand. If you work a shift, you hang out at the distribution center to wait for orders. If you’re working on demand, you wait for orders to come in, and then go to the warehouse to pick them up.

Gopuff delivery driver requirements

If you’re interested in being a Gopuff driver, it’s important to know the requirements. You must

• be at least 21 years of age or older
• hold a valid driver’s license
• have a vehicle with insurance in your name
• have a smartphone with the latest software so you can run the Godrive app
• pass a driver and criminal background check

How to apply and onboard as a Gopuff driver

Are you in? Submit your application to Gopuff online or through the Gopuff driver app. The screenshots below show you what it looks like. Enter your zip code, and Gopuff will let you know if there is delivery work available in your area. From there, enter your personal information, and your application will be complete.

Source: Gopuff driver app

The background check occurs once you give Gopuff the permission to conduct it. It usually takes at least 3–4 days for a background check to clear, but it could be slightly longer. If everything goes well, you’ll be accepted and ready to begin the onboarding process.

Onboarding is rather straightforward. You’ll need to download another app, When I Work, which will permit you to create schedules. This is separate from the Godrive app that you use when you’re actually delivering for Gopuff. You will also have to pass a quiz to show that you know how to use When I Work. 

This video from Your Driver Mike details the onboarding process. He also gives a general description of how you would go about working for Gopuff and what the app looks like once you begin earning. 

Is Gopuff right for you?

Maybe you’re ready for something new, or perhaps you’re just starting out as a gig driver. In either case, Gopuff could be a nice gig either to add to your current array of driving apps or to begin with. Most drivers report that the company treats them fairly. There is also a lot of flexibility. Gopuff emphasizes to its customers that they operate 24/7/365, so if you need a gig you can fit in during odd hours, Gopuff is there for you.

Gridwise data show that the average Gopuff driver earns around $14.40 per hour and $1.30 per mile. This is rather good, but there are ways you can earn—and save—even more.

Using a driver’s assistant, namely Gridwise, will help make your Gopuff gig go more smoothly and boost your earnings. Track your mileage, sync Gopuff with Gridwise to get earnings reports, and keep up with traffic, weather, and events information. Reap the advantages of participating in insurance and health service plans through Gridwise Benefits, as well as amazing discounts and deals designed specifically to serve drivers.

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The downside of Gopuff might come in when you discover that it doesn’t operate near where you live. At least the application process begins by asking for your zip code. This way you can immediately discover whether Gopuff is available in your area, and you won’t get your hopes up unnecessarily. Because Gopuff is in an expansion phase, though, you might be surprised just how wide their reach is.

As with all driving apps, drivers have different views of Gopuff. Some drivers say that it doesn’t pay off. Others don’t like dealing with the formalities of delivering alcohol and tobacco products. However, many also seem to think it’s rather easy to work with and can help them make money.

This YouTube video from Cars and Cribs follows a new driver and his partner going for their first Gopuff order. It offers a lot of insight into what it’s actually like to work for Gopuff and contrasts it with working for DoorDash. 

Now that you know how to become a Gopuff delivery driver, all that’s left is to apply, and be sure you download Gridwise to make all your gig driving easy, efficient, and profitable!

It started out so simple. When rideshare driving was new, you’d see a ride request, you’d accept it, and you’d take the passenger(s) to the appointed destination. Then you’d get paid. Ah, but that was then.

Now Lyft drivers have a wide array of possibilities when it comes to accepting and fulfilling ride requests and how they want to get paid for them. It could be a confusing morass, or a cornucopia of opportunity, depending on your point of view.

Making the most money in as little time as possible means that you want to know more about your payments, and how you can maximize them. You also need a savvy tool like Gridwise to keep you on top of your game and make sure you rake in the kind of cash you want.

In this post, we’ll address questions such as “How does Lyft pay drivers?” and “When do Lyft drivers get paid?” This information will, we hope, help you to see all the forms of Lyft driver payments for what they are: chances to earn. New and various payment opportunities are an answer to the many different issues Lyft drivers encounter on a daily basis. We’ll clear up any confusion you might have by covering the following:

• Your Lyft payout: the forms it takes and how earnings are calculated
• Special pay rates for different localities
• The Lyft weekly payout and alternatives
• More ways to maximize your Lyft earnings

Your Lyft payout: the forms it takes and how earnings are calculated

Let’s start with the  components of Lyft earnings. 

Basic Pay

Lyft rolled out an upfront pay feature to accommodate drivers’ need to know more about rides before agreeing to accept them. Lyft wants to offer transparency as well as choice to its drivers, and this is an effective way to do just that. With upfront pay, it’s possible for drivers to see

• pickup and drop-off locations
• estimated time and distance to complete the ride
• a map view of the full ride
• the fare

Upfront fares are calculated based on factors such as the supply of drivers and the demand for rides at a given location, as well as traffic conditions along the route. These factors make the estimated fare more accurate than if time and distance were the only considerations. Upfront pay is available to most Lyft drivers in many regions.

There are still some places where upfront pay is not available. In that case, Lyft pay is calculated by using the rate card system. You can view the rate card for any trip you make by looking at your ride history in the app. Rides that pay according to the rate card system are calculated based on

• time
• distance
• base fare

Rate card fares may vary according to ride mode (economy, luxury, XL, etc.) and the region where the passenger is picked up.

Wait Time

It’s never a happy moment when you arrive at the pickup location and your rider is nowhere to be seen. Whether they’re finishing their sandwich or putting on that last dab of glitter blush, they’re using up your precious time.

Fortunately, Lyft pays drivers for waiting time. For all drivers, except Lux Black and Lux Black XL, here’s the deal: if you’re stuck waiting between two and five minutes, Lyft will pay you for your time. If the passenger doesn’t show up after five minutes, you have the option of canceling the ride. 

Lux Black and Lux Black XL Lyft drivers get paid for wait time after the first five minutes and can then cancel the ride after ten minutes of waiting.

Trip Changes

It happens all the time. In mid-trip, a passenger may decide to pick up a pal along the way, or stop for some coffee or a cold drink on route to the destination. There might even be times when a trip is longer or shorter than originally thought. If any of these events changes your trip substantially, your fare will change. 

Check your ride details and any adjustments that were made by doing the following in your app:

1. Go to your account
2. Tap “ride history”
3. Tap the ride you want to know more about

Tips

Passengers can tip you through the app, and most often, they will. Many even offer tips in cash. You retain 100% of all your tip earnings. 

Bonuses and Incentives

Your willingness to drive at high demand times in busy areas will often qualify you for bonus pay. Here are the types of bonuses Lyft offers:

Real time 

These appear in the app when there’s a high demand for drivers in your area.

Scheduled

Every Friday morning, the app is updated with bonuses scheduled for your area.

Bonus zones 

Pink and purple highlights on your map in the app tell you where you can earn extra money, owing to especially high demand for drivers. 

Bonus zones vary from nearly one minute to the next. It pays to keep an eye out for them, though, because they offer a great way to make extra money.

EV Ride Challenge

Through 2024, drivers can receive a $150 bonus for every 50 rides completed while driving an EV. This offer, so far, is available in California only. The Lyft website has more information on qualifications.

Earnings Guarantee Promotions 

Lyft will guarantee a set amount of earnings within a given time period as a way to incentivize drivers, especially new ones. If you don’t earn the set amount before the time expires, Lyft pays you the difference between your actual earnings and the guaranteed amount. Read more about earnings guarantee promotions.

There are also incentives offered to drivers. These include

Referrals 

Drivers who persuade friends and family to join Lyft can earn substantial amounts of extra money. The new drivers will have to complete a certain number of rides in a given period. These parameters vary depending on driver demand. Read more about this referral program on the Lyft website.

Tiered Rewards Program 

Although these rewards are not a direct payout to drivers, they can help them save on gas, car maintenance, and other services. Drivers earn points by driving consistently during busy hours and keeping high star ratings. Lyft’s tiered rewards program is detailed on the Lyft website.

Special pay rates for different localities

You’ve probably heard that there are states and cities where drivers are guaranteed a minimum wage, or where they get extra help from rideshare companies. In California, as you can read in this Gridwise post, drivers receive minimum guaranteed earnings for their time on the road, as well as subsidies toward healthcare, among other items. For all rides picked up in California, drivers are guaranteed to earn 120% of the applicable minimum wage for booked time, plus $0.30 per mile.

In New York City, drivers receive a minimum wage based on mileage and time, and Seattle drivers pull in a minimum wage of $16.39 per hour. There are more cities and states, such as Minneapolis and Massachusetts, where laws instituting minimum wage requirements for drivers are being discussed. Obviously, Lyft must comply with any and all laws regarding these wage policies.

In addition to these special cases, Lyft has a certain class of payments called subregion rates, which apply to certain areas of cities and metropolitan areas. Rates in these areas will be specifically assigned. 

Rides from subregions within an area where an offer stands are still applied to bonuses such as streaks. Individual ride earnings may vary. They are usually higher. You can find out what the subregion rates are and if they apply to your location, by accessing your rate card through the app.

The Lyft weekly payout and alternatives

There are basic questions every driver has about being paid. After all, making money is what driving for Lyft is all about. Here are the answers to some common queries.

When does Lyft pay out, and how often does Lyft pay?

Lyft pay is calculated based on your earnings Sunday–Monday, and your pay will be deposited once per week on Tuesdays.

Is it possible to get paid sooner?

Definitely! There are two ways to get paid sooner:

1. Express Pay allows you to instantly transfer earnings to your own debit card. There is a charge for this version of Lyft Express Pay. It’s $0.85 for each transfer you make. If you rent your car from Express Drive, you’ll have to make enough to cover the cost of your rental before funds can be sent to you.

2. With Lyft Direct, you set up an account with Lyft (via Payfare), and receive a debit card that gives you access to your account. With Lyft Direct, you can make as many transactions as you like with no fee. You also will get mobile banking services and cashback rewards.

All the details that further address the question “When do Lyft drivers get paid?” can be found in this help article from Lyft.

More ways to maximize your Lyft earnings

Now that you know how you get paid and how often Lyft pays out, plus ways to get your pay right away, here’s some advice about how to make sure you get paid more!

The first step is to have the best driver’s assistant available: Gridwise! With this mighty app, you can

• strategize the best times to drive. See information about ride demand for Lyft and all the services you might drive for with the When to Drive feature.
• position yourself for higher earnings with Where to Drive from Gridwise.
• log all the miles you drive to, from, and between the rides you complete through your driving apps. Capturing all your miles means higher tax deductions and smaller tax bills!

Download the Gridwise app now!

Are you ready for some football?

The start of football season is an exciting time. Diehard football fans finally will have something to do on Sunday's again, casual fans will welcome the return of gameday parties, and everyone else gets to play fantasy football!

For rideshare drivers, football season means saying hello to some of the most profitable and predictable surges that you'll see all year if you take advantage of them.

But what's the best way to make the most money during this football season? We talked to rideshare drivers across the country to find out how they are taking advantage of the return of football to maximize their profits, and we came up with this comprehensive guide to football Sunday's (and Saturday's) for rideshare drivers.

Collegiate and NFL football create a base of devoted fans heading for the stadium and local sports bars or holding viewing parties at home. As a rideshare or food delivery driver, how can you take advantage of this? Fortunately, rideshare strategy for the two services is similar, even down to the pregame. Regarding college football tailgate parties and NFL games, Uber and Lyft strategies are virtually identical. 

If you have been a rideshare driver for any time, you know there is a gig driver’s football game strategy. So take a few minutes to read this blog post and learn how to earn more on these days. Success doesn’t just hinge on rideshare to the football stadium; there are other opportunities as well. 

Here's what we will cover:

• Football affects both rideshare and food delivery.
• Do the pregame homework. 
• Working the airports.
• Other tactics if you drive rideshare. 
• Tactics if you drive food delivery.
• General tips for rideshare and food delivery during football games.
• Gridwise can make you more successful on game day.

Do the pregame homework

If you have never driven rideshare during football season, then knowing a little about how the venues handle rideshare is advisable. Be familiar with football game rideshare drop-off zones and check out the pickup procedure, too. Often, drop-off and pickup are in different places.

Ask fellow rideshare drivers how venues have addressed rideshare in previous years. When do they see pregame rideshare rush hours? What about the postgame rideshare surge? What rate increases can you expect to see in Lyft and Uber football game surge pricing? Ask about pregame and postgame surge times and predicting when earnings will peak before and after games. How about rideshare to a sold-out football stadium? Do other drivers have any football game traffic tips for Uber and Lyft on game day?

Check the website of the venue stadiums. Are there any special instructions for fans arriving or leaving by rideshare? Are there any Uber or Lyft football game promotions? 

In addition to profootballnetwork.com, you can also check the Gridwise app to see when local games will conclude, pouring out hundreds of fans looking for a rideshare. The Gridwise app also shows other events that will generate rides. 

For rideshare drivers who work the sports bars and food delivery, check out profootballnetwork.com for complete schedules of the games. You can determine the best games and schedule your driving for those times. You might also use this information in advance, asking passengers, wait staff, and managers in the various food establishments for their tips on what they think will be the best games. 

Working the airports

Any list of pro tips for football game rideshares includes pregame rideshare rush hours, and the reality is that the pregame bump in rideshare business starts on Friday. This is as true for collegiate games as it is for NFL games. Hardcore fans, collegiate parents, and devoted school alumni regularly attend the away games. You can expect to see them arriving at the airports as early as Friday afternoon, so make it a point to be around the airport for pickups. 

Expect the Where to Drive screen on your Gridwise app to show a bump in traffic at the airports on Friday night when collegiate parents, alumni, and fans from the out-of-town team arrive. Restaurants will also show increased demand. 

This is where you start your reconnaissance. The majority of these out-of-town visitors stay at local hotels. There might even be a headquarters hotel. These folks will need a ride on game day. If you can determine a headquarters hotel or a hotel that is giving fan groups a package deal, you can position yourself to pick up a good number of rides on game day.

Ask about special events. Are fans planning a meet-up at a local restaurant that night or brunch before the game? Does the group have plans to visit a local attraction? These are all opportunities for additional rides. 

Other strategy if you drive rideshare

On the day of the game, expect rideshare drives to originate in the suburbs. Many local fans take a rideshare rather than hassle with the traffic themselves. They also anticipate consuming alcoholic beverages at the game, and taking a rideshare home is safer than driving under the influence. 

Check maps for the metropolitan transit systems. Trains and buses typically reach the stadium, but this isn’t always the case. Fans frequently look for rides from a depot near the stadium. Look for special offers from Lyft or Uber providing additional incentives for rides that drop off at the stadium or pick up afterward. 

Monitor the game from your car radio. If there is a sizable gap in the score by the end of the third quarter and the trailing team is unlikely to catch up, fans will start to slip away, hoping to avoid traffic. The surge of fans leaving the game can begin early in the case of runaway games. 

West Hollywood near Los Angeles has a liberal sprinkling of sports bars. This is typical for most medium and large cities. Lots of folks need rides at the end of game day. 

You can bypass the craziness of the sports stadiums and work the sports bars. For many drivers, sports bars are more profitable. Driving time lasts longer because the sports bars show all the games, regardless of where they occur. You’ll likely get customers who have had a lot more to drink, so prepare yourself. Carry emesis bags and perhaps even refer to the Gridwise blog post How to Deal with Drunk Uber or Lyft Passengers.  

Check the My Trends screen on the Gridwise app to see, among other things, how your earnings compare to the average in your area during football season. Using the Gridwise app will help you stay above the norm.   

Strategy if you drive food delivery

What kinds of restaurants should you expect to receive orders for food delivery during football season? In a report by Restaurant Business, DoorDash revealed the top five foods for football fans. Chicken wings lost their premier place as the food of choice. What were the top foods? Take a look:

1. mozzarella sticks
2. boneless chicken wings
3. chips and salsa
4. Caesar salad
5. pepperoni pizza

Grubhub reminds restaurant owners that they can expect football-related food delivery orders on two extra days each week during the season: Mondays and Thursdays. If you are deciding which days to turn on your app and go for a drive, those two days need to go on your list during pigskin season.

You can expect orders to surge about 30 minutes before the start of the game and continue through halftime. Don’t stop at the end of the game, though. These football parties can go on for a few hours after the final play as fans watch the various postgame shows and rehash the game with friends. 

General tips for rideshare and food delivery during football games

You can take additional measures to make football season more profitable, especially when looking for tips. 

Wear a football jersey or cap. You can either show your preference for the home team or wear a generic football jersey or an NFL hat. The latter is neutral and makes everyone happy. When you work the airport on Fridays, though, wear the jersey or T-shirt of the visiting team. That’s who you’ll be picking up for the most part. 

Spruce up your choice of music. If the Minnesota Vikings are in town, remember that Minneapolis is also the former home of Prince. There is a good chance you will have some Prince fans in the car. Your passengers will appreciate a playlist liberally sprinkled with Purple Rain, Little Red Corvette, Kiss, and others. A custom playlist based on the visiting team's city is always a hit with fans. 

Drive a larger vehicle. Can you change your regular rideshare car for the family SUV on game day? If so, driving Lyft XL or UberXL gets you a higher rate. 

Remember the really big games. Super Bowl Sunday rideshare tactics are the same but will be much more intense. The big game may not be in your city, but rideshare at the sports bars, along with food delivery, will be busy. Football season ends in January, but don’t forget March Madness, which some call “rideshare madness.” It’s another good time to work the sports bars and food delivery. 

Multi-app. According to our data, 31% of drivers multi-app, and 21% multi-app across categories (meaning they do both rideshare and food delivery, or some other service). 

While the games are happening, rideshare might be slow, but people at football viewing parties are hungry. Switching to food delivery ensures that you earn as much as possible. 

Gridwise messaging informs you of developing demand for rideshare and food delivery. The potential to earn more is always just a screen away when you use Gridwise. 

Pay attention to Gridwise messaging. Through the Gridwise app, you can sign up for messaging, telling you when events let out, predicted surges in demand, and other opportunities as they materialize. It is an invaluable service, only available from Gridwise. 

No two cities are alike on game day. According to this Gridwise blog post, The Impact of Pro Football Home Kickoff Games on Gig Mobility Demand, if your city has a hometown football team, professional or collegiate, you will have a unique pattern on game day for rideshare and food delivery. Likely factors include the location of the game venue and the types of restaurants and sports bars fans have available to them. 

There are, however, some consistencies. Tailgate parties start about two hours before kickoff. If the game starts at 11:00 am, this means people will start arriving at the stadium at 9:00 am. Expect demand for rideshare to peak around that time and continue until kickoff. Food delivery to football fans at home is up and down depending on the city, but expect it to peak late in the day, around 7:00 pm, as the last games are wrapping up and fans are celebrating their wins and bemoaning their losses. For more information, visit the Gridwise Analytics website. 

Gridwise can make you more successful on game day

The Gridwise app is essential for every rideshare driver, especially when you need pro tips for football game rideshares. Regular features such as When to Drive and Where to Drive provide real-time information on where rideshare and food delivery demand is greatest. You can track miles and fares for tax deductions from football weekend rides with the Gridwise Mileage Tracker. 

Don’t forget the many benefits you can access through Gridwise, including roadside assistance, telemedicine, dental insurance, and more. The Gridwise blog offers vital information on strategies and tactics for making you a successful gig driver. Gridwise helps you stay safe and maximize your earnings. 

And we also help you have fun out there.

All smart gig drivers use mileage trackers, but they also need an app that offers other features to maximize their income while minimizing expenses. The best mileage trackers address the needs of gig drivers and tailor information to their specific areas of interest. However, most stop at tracking mileage and do no more.

Let’s take a look at two mileage tracking apps, Stride and Gridwise. We’ll reveal what each app can do, and compare features to determine which one best serves all the needs of gig drivers.

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What gig drivers need in a mileage tracking app

Getting a full and accurate account of the mileage you accrue while gig driving allows you to deduct a significant portion of your taxable income. The apps you drive for record only the distances you cover while you’re engaged in a ride or delivery trip. You also need to count the miles you travel in between trips as well as those you cover on the way to and from the area where you go to drive. That’s the reason most drivers have a mileage tracking app. But as you know, there’s more to gig driving and gig work than just tracking miles. 

Mileage is not the only deductible expense drivers need to track. The things you buy to make your gig more effective, from new mats for your vehicle to the equipment you use to keep delivery food hot and cold, can also be deductible expenses*. It’s important that you keep track of all these things so they can be included in your itemization process at tax time.

On top of that, drivers need more than just information involving their expenses. It’s important to be aware of your earnings, and how they compare with your expenses. Then, you’ll want to know how to boost your profits, with features that help you decide the best times and places to drive, and keep you informed about issues that are essential to your gig-driving business. 

Knowing where and when events will take place, what the weather will be like, when airport passengers will most urgently need rides, and how your earnings compare to those of other drivers are all pieces of information that make your job easier and more profitable. Gig drivers are very busy people and can’t always take the time to switch from one app to the next to gather all this information.

Also, drivers need to know they can secure support through affordable insurance, deals, and discounts that improve life for themselves and their families. That’s why it’s essential to find a tool that has all the services a gig driver needs, packed into one powerful app.

What you need to know about the Stride tax mileage tracker

Every app has a purpose, and these two are no exception. Both Gridwise and Stride are good mileage trackers. Keeping an account of the miles you drive for business allows you to take a large deduction off your taxable income. Learn more about tax deductions and mileage tracking in this Gridwise post.

Appstore rating: 4.8

Google Play Store Rating: 3.3

Stride’s mileage tracker, which is chiefly a financial app, is not designed specifically for gig drivers. The mileage tracker geared toward independent contractors of all types. This means that it lacks many of the features gig drivers need. By engaging Stride to track your miles while you drive for your gigs, you get a record of every mile you drive, which is only one of the things you need to maximize your earnings.

The Stride app allows you to connect to the bank account you use for business and keep track of your deductible expenses. It features a tax deduction finder, as well as connections to insurance plans, discounts, and deals geared toward independent contractors. The Stride app is free, but the insurance you choose will have costs attached. While some of the Stride Insurance plans are low cost, many are priced at levels you would expect through any insurance broker.

Almost all Stride Mileage Tracker reviews will tell you the same things. If all you want is a free mileage tracker, Stride can deliver.

As EntreCourier.com notes, there is a lot it doesn’t do. For instance, it doesn’t track your earnings as you drive. You have to enter them manually. When using Stride, your expenses have to be logged manually. And it doesn’t keep you on top of traffic, weather, events, or where to drive.

For additional fees these include 

• health insurance
• dental insurance
• vision insurance
• life insurance
• accident coverage
• disability insurance
• features that help with organizing your finances to make tax preparation easier*

Discover Gridwise: The mileage tracking app and gig worker assistant

A quick look at Gridwise:

Appstore Rating: 4.9 

Google Play Store Rating: 4.7

Gridwise is much more than a mileage tracker, and while it offers features that assist you at tax preparation time, it doesn’t stop there. 

Gridwise is designed to be the gig driver’s personal assistant. It tracks all your gig driving miles and allows you to record other expenses, as well.

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In addition to that, it provides traffic, event, and weather alerts that are crucial to drivers. Beyond what your individual apps might say about how much you’re making, Gridwise lets you track your actual earnings for every gig you drive.

Easy to read graphs enable you to see your driving trends, and how they compare to those of other drivers in your area. Gridwise users also gain access to affordable health and insurance benefits, deals, and discounts designed for gig drivers.

The Gridwise app offers a free version with all the Basic features, including access to Gridwise Benefits. Gridwise offers a diverse range of insurance and care plans—for your car, your phone, and for you and your family. See why Gridwise is a favorite among gig workers in our top 5 gig worker apps comparison.

Gridwise Plus members gain access to advanced features and additional insider information about where and when the best places and times to drive are, as well as more detailed reports in .csv format. Gridwise Plus members are also eligible for further discounts on the benefits and deals Gridwise offers.

Stride vs. Gridwise: Compare their features

Now that you have a basic idea of the differences between them, let’s look at a more detailed comparison.

Because Gridwise is a full-featured assistant, designed with features for gig drivers and gig workers, it beats Stride and other mileage tracking apps hands down. It offers features other apps don’t even realize that drivers, specifically, need.

Their dedication to making your job easier inspired the people behind Gridwise to offer an active support team. They can guide you through maximizing the utility of the Gridwise app—and your earnings. The app is as easy to use as it is comprehensive and supportive of your desire to maximize your gig earnings.

Here’s where you can learn more about Gridwise and mileage tracking:

• What’s the best mileage tracking app?
• Gridwise vs Solo: How they size up
• Mileage mistakes you don’t want to make

* Gridwise does not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. This material has been prepared for information purposes only. It is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for tax, legal, or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal, and accounting advisors before filing your return.

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Are you looking for more gig driver articles?

• Discover how Gridwise ranks among the top gig worker apps by exploring our detailed comparison
• 9 Must Have Apps For Gig Drivers
• 5 Best Mileage Trackers For Gig Drivers
• Uber Eats vs. DoorDash: Which is the better company for drivers?

Gridwise is Proud to Sponsor and Attend MOVE America 2023 in Austin

We are happy to announce that we will be a sponsor and an attendee for MOVE America 2023, held next month in Austin, Texas. As a leading provider of analytics and solutions for the gig mobility sector, Gridwise recognizes MOVE America as the premier event to engage with our industry peers.

The Importance Gridwise at Move America 2023

MOVE America is more than just a conference—it's a melting pot where industry leaders, startups, tech innovators, and governmental organizations come together to discuss, dissect, and pave the future of mobility. From ridesharing and electric vehicles to smart cities and last-mile delivery solutions, MOVE America covers it all.

We are excited to be participants and sponsors of an event that seeks to shape the future of sustainable mobility. As a company whose products are motivated and designed around the people we serve, it makes sense for us to lean into opportunities and events that focus on the longevity and sustainability of our industry. It's our goal to be contributors and glean insights that can help Gridwise further shape the future of sustainable mobility. 

Gridwise: A Trusted Insights Partner in Gig Mobility

Gridwise is not just attending MOVE America 2023 to learn; we're there to share our deep insights as a trusted business companion to over 450,000 drivers across the Gig Mobility ecosystem. With our advanced analytics, real-time data, and tailor-made solutions, we offer insights that are unparalleled and unavailable anywhere else.

Our platform empowers gig drivers with actionable data, helping them make the most of their time on the road. 

Brands seeking to connect with this dynamic workforce also benefit from our vast advertising network, specifically designed to reach Gig drivers effectively. 

Other enterprise partners like the major gig services, autonomous vehicle companies, EV charging companies, data platforms, financial services, and many others find unique value in our insights and market intelligence.

Collaborations Across Industries

Whether it's logistics, food delivery, or ridesharing companies, we have proven use cases that demonstrate the value we bring to the table. Our multi-faceted approach allows us to be the go-to solution for anyone looking to understand, navigate, or capitalize on the Gig Mobility sector.

Why We're Excited

MOVE America 2023 gives us an unprecedented opportunity to interact with other leaders, understand market needs, and, most importantly—showcase how Gridwise can add value to various stakeholders. 

We'll be sharing our insights throughout the conference and via one-on-one interactions. Attendees will learn how Gridwise:

• Helps Gig drivers maximize earnings through intelligent data.
• Provides companies with a direct channel to engage with a growing and active gig driver community.
• Offer advanced analytics solutions to partners for tangible business operations and strategy improvements.

We're not just participating; we're setting the stage for what the future of Gig Mobility will look like. So, if you will be at MOVE America 2023, you can find us at booth #1548 or schedule time with us here. We look forward to discussing how Gridwise can partner with you and your company to drive the future of mobility and enable constructive dialogue with fellow attendees.

We remain committed to advancing intelligent mobility through informed perspectives and innovative solutions. We believe MOVE America will lead to future partnerships to pursue that shared goal. Our team looks forward to connecting with industry peers at MOVE America.

Do your friends ask you, “Is Uber driving dangerous?” or “Don’t you worry about delivering food to strangers’ houses alone?” They’re not crazy. Gig driving is a dynamic and straightforward way to make money, but it can also make drivers wonder about their personal safety. Delivering food, packages, and other items to unfamiliar addresses, not to mention inviting strangers to enjoy a ride inside your vehicle, can put you at risk. 

There’s really no reason to let safety concerns get in the way of enjoying a fun and profitable driving gig, so we put together this post to provide tips to help keep you safe.

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Rideshare and delivery driver safety

How big of an issue is safety? Much depends on where you drive, what times of day you’re out on the streets, and how well you prepare yourself for virtually almost any situation. There have been various incidents in the last few years where drivers have experienced muggings, carjackings, sexual assault, and worse. 

Even if you think you’re keeping your gig work to low-risk situations only, you still need to be prepared for unexpected events. And if you’ve noticed the risks you’ve taken in your driving gig, it’s even more important to focus on developing a safety strategy. Here are 10 tips to get you on your way.

Tips for safe gig driving

1. Develop a calm and assertive attitude

You and your attitude form the first line of defense when it comes to protecting yourself from danger. When you act nervous or frightened, you can attract people who want to take advantage of your weakness. When you project an attitude of peaceful confidence, while establishing a sense of safe boundaries with everyone you encounter on your shift, you don’t bear any resemblance whatsoever to a victim. Bullies and perpetrators will look elsewhere for someone to pick on.

If you want to learn more about developing the right attitude, consider taking a self-defense course or enrolling at a martial arts school. You’ll learn all about “calm and assertive,” and you’ll walk the talk when you learn how to defend and protect your personal space.

2. Be aware of your surroundings

This can be harder than it sounds. The distractions of pinging phones, oncoming traffic, noisy pedestrians, loud music, and the other sights and sounds of rideshare driving and delivery work can live in your head without paying rent, and they often stop drivers from paying full attention to what’s going on around them. How can you become more observant and vigilant?

Be “in the moment.” Take care of issues such as finding your way into a restaurant or bathroom, or finding out your customer’s specific address before you get out of your (hopefully, locked) car. Avoid looking at your phone, but keep it close to hand in case you need a flashlight or to call for help.

Keep the calm and assertive attitude we mentioned earlier, walk confidently, and use your peripheral vision to widen the range of what you can see with your eyes. Also, if you’re on a quiet street, walk along the curb and away from entryways or other areas where a person with ill intent might be lurking, and you can be seen by cars that might pass by. 

3. Use in-app safety features

Both rideshare and delivery companies have features that allow you to designate a family member or friend to track your location when you want to share it with them. The feature is available to rideshare passengers as well as drivers. Using this feature is sound advice for new Lyft drivers and Uber drivers, and can benefit delivery drivers as well. 

If by chance your company’s app doesn’t have this feature, you can use Google maps, Apple’s Find My Friends, and other apps that allow you to share your location. This article shows 10 different apps you can download to let loved ones know where you are, so they can come to you or send help if there is trouble.

It’s even more important to know about the “panic button” options you have within your app. Study your app’s features to learn the steps of using built-in calls for help, such as this one from Uber. Most smartphones also have quick ways to call for help, it’s true. However, by using the one with your company, you keep them alert to the fact that you’ve let out a distress call, and they’ll have more information about youl.

Delivery drivers who have to feed parking meters on a regular basis can save themselves the exposure of standing around fumbling for the proper payment method. Parking apps let you stay safely inside your car while you pay the fee.

4. Get reliable road service

While it’s true that many driving apps provide road service to drivers, often as a performance perk, one source of emergency help might not be enough. Let’s say there’s a huge storm or extreme temperature conditions that raise the demand for road service through the roof. One road service might be totally swamped, while another might be less overwhelmed. 

Gridwise Benefits provides full-service roadside assistance. It’s got you covered, no matter what the reason for your rescue might be. Count on Gridwise Benefits Roadside Services when you need a tow, a jump for your battery (or a new one), emergency tire changes, and even when you get locked out of your vehicle.

Roadside service is one of those items you don’t think you need, until you do! Don’t even think about carrying on a gig driving business without it.

5. Carry safety equipment

You need as much space as possible in your storage area to accommodate passengers’ luggage or several delivery containers, but save a small area for crucial equipment. Some of the things you should carry include

• a tire pressure gauge and portable air compressor
• a flashlight or headlamp 
• backup oil, radiator fluid, washer fluid, etc.
• flares or triangles that alert other drivers to your stopped-in-traffic status
• a decent supply of drinking water and snack food, in case you’re stuck waiting for a long while
• winter weather gear, including a blanket, gloves, snow shovel, road salt, and hand warmers
• jumper cables
• your driver manual, or access to it through the Internet
• a first aid kit, in the event you fall or get a minor cut in the course of a ride or delivery
• a device capable of breaking your window glass, in case you find yourself trapped inside your vehicle after an accident. Tactical pens like these can be a good option here. They can also double as self-defense tools, flashlights, and screwdrivers.
• extra batteries for your key fob and any other electronic devices you depend on (tire gauge, flashlight)
• an extra phone charger, in case yours gets lost or “mistakenly” taken by a passenger
• a multi-tool for changing batteries or making minor repairs to your safety items

6. Check rider and delivery customer ratings

Who has time to notice a customer’s rating? You should make time. It takes a whole lot of bad behavior for a rider or customer to get a low star rating on your app. If you get a request from such a person, consider opting out of the ride or delivery; it could help you avoid trouble.

Can you remember the last time you gave a passenger or delivery customer a bad rating? You probably had a good reason. And with the benefit of the driver community in mind, you told it like it is. If a potential customer has a bad rating, those drivers probably had good reasons, too, and their honesty could keep you safe.

7. Keep a low profile

It’s hard not to be obvious about your role as a rideshare or delivery driver. After all, you have a decal, an amp, or maybe both on your dash, identifying you as a driver, plain as day. If you’re carrying packages, some people might see you as an easy target. If you’re delivering food, your bags and the sweet smell of yummy burgers and fries wafting from them are dead giveaways. 

But if you want to stay safe and avoid giving away anything valuable, there are some ways to keep a low profile and steer clear of enticing potential pilferers from targeting you. Here they are:

• Drive a “plain brown wrapper” vehicle. Leave your upscale ride at home, and don’t put company branding all over your car.
• Dress down. Gold jewelry, precious stones, and even high-end kicks could inadvertently introduce you to someone you definitely don’t want to meet.
• Don’t carry a lot of money. One of the positive points of not driving a taxi is there’s no need to carry cash for your business. Just keep enough on you to grab a snack or buy your way out of a jam when you run out of fuel. 
• Keep the volume low. It’s tempting to crank up the decibel level of your music just to keep yourself interested in going to the next ride or delivery trip, but if you’re in a sketchy area, booming speakers can also draw unwanted attention to your car, and you.
• Avoid controversial topics. Here’s another place where that “calm and assertive” attitude will help. There’s no need to start or continue an argument with a passenger, a restaurant worker, or a delivery customer. Keep the conversation superficial and pleasant; and if it starts to get unpleasant, don’t be afraid to end the ride or finish your delivery as fast as possible.

8. De-escalate tense situations

If you find yourself in a situation where someone decides to take out their bad mood on you, do your very best not to take it personally. Instead, de-escalate the situation. Don’t argue or engage in a battle of wits, whether it’s over whose team is going to win the game or why you were late for your pickup or delivery.

Did you know that the act of avoiding a fight is actually a martial arts tactic? It’s true. The first thing a martial artist is trained to do is find ways to avoid a conflict. The second is to get away. It’s only if and after these things don’t work, that the martial artist will be forced to engage in self-defense through physical means. 

Remember, the next time you avoid a verbal battle with a customer, rider, or even someone you encounter randomly on the street, you’re not backing down. You’re showing off your smooth kung fu moves!

9. Know where and when to drive

Try to drive in areas you know well. Understand and be aware of the areas and times of day that pose the most risk. Here is an article you that will help you to do some research. While you always want to be ethical and fair to people who live in high crime areas, and don’t want to avoid serving them with a ride or delivery, you also want to know what you might find when you get there

But let’s say you pick someone up at a fancy office downtown and wind up taking this nice person to a destination that makes you very nervous.

There are a few things you can do: 

1. To avoid taking more trips from this apparently dangerous area, you can simply sign off your app until you can get to a safer neighborhood. 
2. Always program the coordinates of a busy, comparatively safe, area into your GPS so you can begin navigating there in one touch. That way, you can quickly find your way to a safe location.

Gridwise features Where to Drive and When to Drive are designed to help you make more money, but they can help you stay safe, too. Study them to see where drivers are making the most money. In general, these will also be places that are heavily populated, and therefore, on the safer side for you.

10. Self-defense and self-care

Most lists of Uber safety tips or Lyft safety tips, as well as lists of safety tips from delivery services, usually don’t address self-defense in positive ways. The one rule that’s pretty much in effect across the board is that the company will either forbid you from carrying firearms and other weapons, or fail to cover your back should you find yourself in a situation where you’ve had to use one.

It could be argued that these policies are, in fact, safety measures. However, they don’t offer much in terms of instructing drivers how to protect themselves. Even where it is legal to carry weapons, there is no reason to risk deactivation in the event you get caught carrying one. 

You might hear recommendations that suggest carrying pepper spray or a Taser, and these might assist you in getting out of a violent situation. However, they can also get you into further trouble. There are other measures you can take, including the ones we’ve already listed, to defend yourself. If you want to carry something, a loud whistle or keychain siren can often inspire attackers to go away.

This Gridwise article goes into more detail about how drivers can protect themselves from violence while they’re working their gigs. 

If you’re asking the question, “Is rideshare safe?” you can learn a lot about safety issues specific to rideshare drivers in this Gridwise post. 

Getting back to the issue of weapons, there is one “weapon” that no one can deactivate you for using, and that’s a dashcam. Drivers nearly unanimously see their dashcam as a layer of protection against crime. A person who’s thinking of committing one is likely to think again when they realize that every move and sound is being recorded. 

Check your state’s laws to see how yours must be mounted, and what you have to do to let passengers know they’re being recorded. You should also make sure the dashcam you buy can record what goes on both inside and outside of your vehicle. This helps to protect you from “they said, you said” situations no matter where they take place. 

Dashcams can give a feeling of safety to delivery drivers, as well. A carjacker or aggressive driver will have their acts memorialized on your recorder and are likely to be deterred when they see your cam in action. Body cams are available if you want to keep customers from thinking they can get away with abusing you without putting it on your recorder.  This Gridwise post will tell you more about dashcams and why they’re such an effective safety tool for drivers.

Self-care is also quite important. Get enough nutrition and sleep, so you’ll always be alert and able to follow the safety recommendations we’ve offered here. A body (and brain) that’s well taken care of will be prepared to stand strong in the face of any emergency.

What drivers have to say about safety

Any driver who’s been on the road for more than a day will tell you that safety is an issue. Even if nothing ever happens to directly threaten a driver, the mere idea of what could happen prompts drivers to take extra measures.

Some drivers make passengers ride in the back of the vehicle to keep some distance. Then, they also insist that they buckle their seatbelts. Once they hear the “click,” drivers can know that the passenger won’t make sudden moves without causing the sound of unbuckling the restraint.

Others get way more serious about their safety measures, and may install barriers between the front and back seats to act as a deterrent. There are pros and cons to this, but if you want to drive in urban areas that are known for being unsafe, this might be something you want to consider.

Drivers are forming advocacy groups focused on the issue of safety, and one of them, Justice for App Workers, offers recommendations such as confirming your rider’s identity before beginning the ride and avoiding permitting drunk passengers to get into your vehicle. You can read more comments from drivers in this article from Business Insider.

One more thing

We’ve already mentioned how Gridwise can help you with Gridwise Benefits and features Where to Drive and When to Drive, but there’s more! Track your mileage and earnings, get airport and event information, and gain access to a whole toolbox full of features that will make your driving gig safer, and more profitable!

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“In some ways, Lyft is the best job I’ve ever had,” says one Lyft driver. “I can meet 20 or 30 people in an eight-hour shift and have meaningful conversations with them. I’ve had homeless people in my car, and I’ve had billionaires in my car, and they all share their stories, great stories! I love this job!”

This quote comes from a veteran Lyft driver, and guess what? He has a five-star rating, and it seldom drops from that top spot. He loves his job and shares his enthusiasm with every passenger he meets. 

The other strategy this driver uses, and it’s the same with all five-star drivers, is delivering top-drawer service. It’s not difficult, either. Given the number of Lyft drivers that consistently rank at 4.95 stars and above, it’s obvious that many drivers have discovered the secret. It all boils down to remembering a few things. In this article we’ll cover 

• understanding the Lyft driver rating system
• tips on how to improve Lyft driver ratings
• disputing a rating
• how Gridwise can help you improve your rating

Understanding the Lyft driver rating system

As Gridwise reported in a recent blog post, Lyft Ratings–How Do You Rate?, Lyft and Uber use a five-star rating to track driver performance. After a Lyft ride, the passenger receives an email asking them to rate their Lyft driver on a scale of one to five stars (five being the highest), in four main areas:

• the quality of your driving
• the cleanliness of your car
• whether you were pleasant and friendly
• if you were professional

We go into more detail in our blog that covers how Lyft ratings work. Check it out if you need more detail!

How are ratings calculated for the Lyft driver rating system?

Lyft averages the star ratings you receive in the individual categories to give you an overall rating for that ride. The app then averages these overall ratings from your last 100 rides to give you a driver rating. You can see this rating on the Lyft app.

You should also know that if a passenger does not leave a rating, Lyft translates that into an automatic five-star rating.  

How to check your driver rating

Your Lyft driver rating is always available on the Lyft driver app. Accessing it is easy.

1. Open your app (you can be online or offline when you do this). 
2. Select the menu icon, those stacked three horizontal lines in the top left-hand corner.
3. The app takes you to your profile page. At the top, right under your photo, you’ll see your total career rides, your Lyft driver rating, and how long you have been driving. The passenger sees a similar rating for you on their app when you accept their ride.

Does your Lyft driver rating make a difference?

Most assuredly, it does. Lyft frequently offers driver bonuses and incentive programs, and participating often requires a rating of 4.9 or above. Don’t forget that passengers can also see your Lyft driver rating. A low rating might prompt them to cancel. It’s to your benefit to keep your ratings high. 

Lyft sees ratings as a reflection of driver performance. If your rating drops to the 4.6 range, you can expect communication from Lyft. The company has the right to deactivate drivers from the app for low ratings. It’s in their best interest to also protect their customers from low quality drivers, so this is understandable. And by helping protect their customers and their reputation, they protect driver income by ensuring demand. 

Tips on how to improve Lyft driver ratings 

One of the downsides of the Lyft driver rating system is that one or two bad days or nights transporting passengers can affect your rating. Even the most courteous and careful driver, one who does all the right things, can get those customers that can’t be pleased or want to share their misery by giving you a bad rating. “Every driver has had the moment when they check their app and say aloud, My Lyft driver rating is bad!

Warning: You’re not going to change your ratings overnight, but if you incorporate the following suggestions and work hard, you will see your Lyft driver rating gradually track upward. Your target is anything higher than a 4.90. This range may seem high, but the majority of Lyft drivers are at 4.95 or above. It is a standard that every driver is held to. 

1. Drive as much as you can

We’ve already covered this. The Lyft driver rating system computes your average based on your last 100 rides. As rides pass the 100 mark in your ride history, they fall off (for rating purposes), and the app recomputes your rating. The more rides you give, the quicker you can get a bad rating off your history and raise your Lyft driver rating. 

2.  Realize you’re an actor

You’re on set whenever you have a passenger in the car, and the camera never blinks. Everything you say and do dictates what kind of star rating you receive. You need to be in character as the best Lyft driver, and you need to be in that role from the moment they get in to the moment they get out. 

3. Remember, first impressions matter

Greet the passenger warmly, as if they are the only thing that matters. If they have suitcases, offer to help with them. Ask if they’re okay with music. Do they have a preference, a radio station they might want to listen to?

4. Confirm the destination

The Lyft passenger app retains the most frequently visited locations of individual passengers. Occasionally a passenger will touch the wrong address when ordering a new ride. The app tells you to take them to the airport, but they are actually going to a job interview. This is a rare problem, but it does happen, especially in the evening when people have been drinking, and their coordination is off. Be sure to confirm your passenger’s destination. 

5. Keep your car clean

Remember #3, first impressions matter. Keep your car gleaming. Drive-through car washes, where you never get out of your car, are popular and inexpensive. Many will sell you a month-long pass for unlimited washes. Wash your car before beginning your shift. Make sure to make a quick run-through with the vacuum as well. Too many rideshare drivers are picking up passengers with last night’s dinner crumbs in the cup holder and an empty water bottle rolling around on the floorboard. 

6.  Dress for success

We're not saying you have to wear a button-down and tie (although there are some drivers that do), but make sure you're wearing something clean.

7. Be well supplied with amenities

The most frequent passenger request is a cell phone charging cord. Most Androids use USB-C chargers. iPhones use the proprietary iPhone charger. Have them plugged into a power source that is long enough to reach the back seat (if your car doesn’t have enough ports to accommodate the extra cables, consider a multi-port adapter available on Amazon). 

Keep a supply of gum and candy, and offer passengers water (don’t forget to check your car after every ride and pick up discarded wrappers and empty plastic bottles). Toothpicks are a rare request, but they can make you a hero. The type that are individually wrapped in cellophane are the best. 

8. Be a great conversationalist

Many passengers have just spent the day alone in their cubicle without much interaction, or they just got off a plane where it was too noisy to hear. They crave conversation, and you can give it to them. Keep the conversation light, though. Another piece of good advice is to avoid talking about sex and politics. 

9. Be a good listener

Any man who has been a husband for any length of time can tell you that when the wife comes home from work or her sister’s house complaining about some impossible situation, the last thing she wants is for someone to preach solutions. She wants someone to listen and agree with her. Many passengers are the same way. They want someone to listen to them. 

It’s a little tricky sometimes to determine whether you need to talk or just listen, but if you know there is a difference, you can be more attuned to it. Some passengers want to talk; others want you to listen. 

10. Learn how to read passengers

Develop a feel for what a passenger wants. Some passengers have material to review, or they’re listening to a podcast and they would rather not talk. They might be on a phone call or have someone with them that they need to discuss business with. Be sensitive to this and respond appropriately.  

11. Have great music playlists

This is an area where you can score real points with customers, and it’s not all about rock ‘n’ roll. A good playlist built around jazz, big band, and swing is always a hit. Even younger kids enjoy Sinatra and the duets of Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett. One Los Angeles driver picked up a carload of music fans on their way to a concert by a well-known Latin band. He pulled their songs up on the music app on his phone and played them all the way to the concert venue. The passengers were awestruck by this and left him a big tip. 

12. Pay attention to navigation

Watch the app for directions. Understandably, passengers get distressed when you miss an offramp or overshoot a turn. 

13. Make sure women passengers get to the door at night

If you pick up a solo woman passenger at night, watch to make sure she gets in the door safely when you drop her off. It’s always a good idea to tell her what you’re doing so that she doesn’t think you’re being weird. This tactic is also great for a tip. Women really appreciate it. 

14. Pay attention to passenger ratings

When a ride request pops up on your app, pay attention to the passenger rating given by other drivers. A low passenger rating indicates someone who has a problematic history with rideshare drivers. They might be belligerent, overly demanding, have a bad attitude, or be a troublesome drunk. Think twice before picking them up. Your acceptance rate can take the hit. 

15. Anticipate passengers that might complain

If you get a passenger that’s a problem and you think they might give you an undeservedly bad rating, be proactive and send a message to Lyft on the app, telling them your side of the story. Read on for more information on how to dispute a rating. 

16. Avoid road rage

Driving can often be frustrating, especially in congested downtown areas, but nothing freaks out a passenger more than a driver in the throes of road rage. Focus on controlling your emotions. Remember, your job is to deliver the passenger safely and happily to their destination. 

17. Maintain an in-car camera

There are passengers that make unreasonable demands or try to take advantage of you and then threaten bad ratings when you don’t give them what they want. Passengers will be less likely to make false allegations if they know there is a record of the ride. Make sure to check with your state or other jurisdiction about the legalities of an in-car camera. 

18. Learn the dominant second language in your market 

You don’t need to be fluent in the language, but the ability to confirm a destination and exchange courtesies in a passenger’s native language gets noticed. People who are uncomfortable speaking English are genuinely touched when they see you went to the trouble to learn the basics of their language. Apps such as Babbel are inexpensive and the lessons are short, making them ideal for that downtime between rides. 

How do you dispute a bad Lyft driver rating?

Ratings are anonymous, but if you maintain a high rating and you have a bad passenger experience, it’s not hard to link a bad rating to the source. Lyft prefers that you work through the app to resolve ratings issues. If you’re a five-star driver and you have a bad experience, there is a chance they will listen to you. It helps your case if you can send Lyft a video from your in-car camera. If, however, you consistently get less than stellar ratings, don’t be surprised if they rule against you. 

Gridwise can help maintain your Lyft driver rating

Gridwise is dedicated to helping gig drivers in all areas of their job, including maintaining high marks in the Lyft driver rating system. The Gridwise app provides information on When to Drive and Where to Drive, directing drivers to the best earning opportunities.

The Gridwise app also has information on peak times for arrivals and departures at the airports and upcoming events, including concerts and sporting events. 

With Gridwise's demand data and free mileage and earning trackers, you'll only need one app to help you drive.

We help you stress less so you can spend more energy offering the best customer service to your passengers, and in turn maintain a great Lyft driver rating. 

Download Gridwise to see for yourself!

Following the suggestions outlined in this article will help you deliver the best service to the passenger so that never again will you catch yourself saying, “My Lyft driver rating is bad.”

Check out the Gridwise website today for this and many other features!

And have fun out there.